Further sponsorship across all three major events:

Somerford Park are delighted to announce that Cooke Coachbuilders will be sponsoring both the Premier League Dressage event which takes place 25th - 28th May and International Horse Trials 17th - 19th August.
It was announced earlier this month that Cooke Coachbuilders are title sponsors of this weekends National British Eventing competition, at Cheshire’s premier equestrian venue Somerford Park.
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Charlotte and Carl to compete at Somerford Park Premier League Dressage:

Somerford Park Premier League Dressage has once again enjoyed enormous entries and are delighted to announce that British Dressage favourites Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin will both be competing. Carl will be riding the fabulous Hawtins Delicato, while Charlotte will be riding her stunning grey mare Florentina, new ride Keystone Drummer Boy - owned by Tracy Cooper and En Vogue will be competing in Sunday's Grand Prix.
Carl Hester (Saturday 26th May) and Charlotte Dujardin (26th and 27th May)

Other well known names making the journey to Somerford Park Premier League Dressage include Michael Eilberg, Kate Cowell, Jayden Brown, Emma Hindle, Becky Moody, Sarah Higgins and last year's pony winner Annabella Pidgley.

Cheshire Crown:

Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural award, Somerford Park are also thrilled to announce the return of the Cheshire Crown. 

The prestigious trophy will be awarded to the owner of the highest placed horse in Sunday's Grand Prix, sponsored by Firmdale Hotels.  The Cheshire Crown will be presented to the winner by sponsors of the Grand Prix, Kit Kemp from Firmdale Hotels whose daughter Willow Kemp will be competing at the Premier League Dressage.

Today Women in Racing (WiR) confirmed its seventh AGM will take place on Thursday 7thJune at Oaksey House, Lambourn. Kiko Matthews, is the guest speaker who, despite neurosurgery in 2017, recently set a new world record for the fastest solo female transatlantic row, and is only the sixth woman ever to complete this challenge. 
 
WiR are inviting members to submit manifestos to join their Committee by 1 June 2018.  There are currently three places open, with Committee members to be elected at the AGM.  The AGM will also feature an update on the year's progress in key areas for WiR, including policy and research, horseracing's first Bursary award scheme and the WiR mentoring programme.
  
Attendees will enjoy prosecco, canapes and networking, plus touring the state-of-the-art facilities at the recently refurbished Oaksey House, which provides specialist rehabilitation for physical and neurological injuries. 
 
Julie Deadman, Chair of Women in Racing, said “We really look forward to welcoming members and non-members to our AGM for what will be an exciting day for Women in Racing. Kiko’s achievement is one to be celebrated, and her story will not doubt prove motivational and interesting to all.  We would encourage people wanting to attend to book their place as availability is limited.”

Advance booking is required.  For further details on tickets, the AGM and Committee elections:  http://www.womeninracing.co.uk

The Event Rider Masters has today announced Noble Outfitters UK as the new Official Clothing Supplier to the Series.
 
Launched in 2016, ERM condenses the traditional three-day event into two days. Live streaming every competitor’s round and including all three disciplines - Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country, ERM’s six-leg 2018 calendar builds on the International expansion into mainland Europe with the introduction of a new competition in Belgium.
 
With a need for technical performance clothing, ERM have partnered with omni-channel equestrian lifestyle brand, Noble Outfitters UK to develop and introduce to market, a range of ERM branded clothing that will offer the wearer flattering yet functional and technical style.  The range will be available to purchase both on event site (availability dependent) and online.
 
Focusing on stylish equestrian performance-wear, Noble Outifitters UK uses innovative fabrics to create practical solutions to everyday problems. In-house product developers have combined elements of traditional materials such as Cotton & Merino with contemporary power-stretch Spandex which offers a comfortable and flattering range for all equestrians to enjoy.
 
Matt Cummins, Sales Manager for UK & Europe said of the collaboration, “Noble Outfitters are thrilled to be an Official Clothing Supplier to the Event Rider Masters series. Our brands share the same core values, we’re both vibrant and dynamic companies offering innovative products to the public. This partnership makes absolute sense. Providing official ERM merchandise across all channels of our business enables us to showcase our brand further and for us this collaboration was an easy decision to take. Team Noble are hugely excited to see what lies ahead for the Series in 2018.”

EXCITEMENT is building for the new British Riding Clubs competition at this year’s Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show.
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Taking place on Saturday, June 16 at 12:40pm in conjunction with British Riding Clubs, there will be both team and individual competitions and regional riding club members are really looking forward to taking part.

Janice Edwards a committee member of the East Clywd Riding Club said: “When we announced to the East Clywd Riding Club members there was a new Equerry Horse Feeds British Ridings Clubs Competition at Bolesworth International Horse Show we were inundated with entries.

“At East Clywd Riding Club there is such a brilliant team camaraderie in everything we do. Everyone is looking forward to attending the day whether it is competing or cheering on fellow members.

“Everyone is so excited to compete at Bolesworth International, as a riding club we take part in the qualifiers and championships throughout the year which is always very exciting for everyone but to be allowed to compete in a show with such a prestigious status is just incredible and a real opportunity not to be missed.”

Gail Bunce, secretary for the Flint and Denbigh Riding Club said: “The setting is amazing and the main arena is awe inspiring with a truly stunning backdrop.”

The Flint and Denbigh Riding Club are full of team spirit and are very much looking forward to competing at such a prestigious event.

One of the members from Flint and Denbigh Riding Club said: “I can’t wait to ride at such a fantastic, well-known event. I’m looking forward to the buzz and great atmosphere that Bolesworth International is well known for.”

Both Janice and Gail explained that they could have easily entered more than five teams however due to the competition rules they have entered two teams from each club, one for the 80cm and one for the 90cm competitions.

There will be four competitions including a Team Competition at 80cm and 90cm level.
The team classes can take up to 20 teams of four horse and rider combination and will be run under British Showjumping rules.

The Individual Competitions are only open to competitors who have competed in the Team Competitions. The Individual Competitions will be at 85cm and 95cm height. The individual classes will see all competitors who gain a clear round jump against the clock to produce the individual winner.

General admission tickets can be bought online at www.bolesworthinternational.com

Equestrian charity, the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund are delighted to announce that ITN News presenter Alastair Stewart will be joining the charity as one of their Vice Presidents.
 
The presenter, who has been a long-term supporter of the charity has a passion for equestrianism which spans a lifetime.  Both Alastair and his wife rode as children, and have passed on this love of horses down to three of their children, two of whom work as professionals within the equestrian industry and another who rides for pleasure.
 
"We do get approached by a whole range of charities, which is lovely but you have to be disciplined and ask yourself:
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 'Is there an association? Can I support the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund Charity because...' and the answer is 'Yes, I can. Because it could happen to my kids."
 
The Mark Davies Injured Fund is the only UK charity that doesn’t just help injured riders; it helps ALL people injured in a horse related accident where no other help is readily available. The charity relies entirely on donations and support from the equestrian community to continue to their invaluable work.
 
Alistair joins other high profile charity VP’s, Olympic Eventer Gemma Tattersall, Founder of The Liverpool Horse Show & Bolesworth International, Nina Barbour and International Showjumpers Jay Halim and Scott Brash.
 
SAVE THE DATE* The charity's next big fundraiser is on 16th October and will officially celebrate their 30th Year Anniversary with a Gala Dinner featuring a number of significant guests at the RAF Club, Piccadilly, London. A small number of early bird tickets have just been released. For further information: www.mdirf.co.uk